Chapter 2

Ryan finished reading the prenup, squinted, and demanded in a cold voice, "This agreement says I have to obey you no matter what after we're married, even if something unexpected happens when you give birth.

"What kind of accident could possibly happen during childbirth? Jenny, you really love overthinking things."

I'd spoiled Ryan so much over the years that he's gotten pretty good at arguing.

He refused to sign the agreement, saying it was totally one-sided.

With that, Ryan walked away.

Holly breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, the crisis is over. As long as you don't marry him, there's still a chance for a fresh start."

I forced a smile, but inside, I felt a wave of bitterness.

My child, if Ryan didn't marry me, that was the real crisis. There was no way I would last until you were born.

Holly thought I died in a car accident.

The truth was, I had a driver and the best cars money could buy since I was a kid. Even if there was a crash, I'd never be the one getting hurt.

The only possibility was that something must have happened when I was giving birth.

Ryan refused to sign the agreement, and I wasn't about to force him. I'd just wait until he swallowed his pride and signed it on his own.

What caught me off guard was that Ryan showed up at my home for dinner like nothing had happened.

Didn't he even care that my dad might kick him out?

Ryan raised his glass for a toast. "Jenny, it's not your fault we didn't get the marriage registered today. It's on me."

I smiled quietly, watching him with a calm expression.

The calmer I was, however, the more agitated my stepmother, Elaine Rogers, became.

"What? Didn't you get the marriage registered?" Elaine blurted out, her face a mix of shock and excitement.

Holly got all worked up, too. "Mom, that's her. She's Dad's true love, the one he could never forget."

My heart lurched, and for a moment, my mind went totally blank.

I never imagined that Ryan's true love was Elaine, the woman my dad married just a couple of years back.

No wonder Holly said my dad would end up bedridden after a stroke. It turned out that Ryan and Elaine had teamed up.

Elaine realized she'd let her emotions slip.

Therefore, she put on her usual act and asked, "Ryan, you and Jenny look so good together. You even made it to the city hall. Why not just get the marriage certificate? What are you waiting for?"

Every time Elaine spoke, I could barely keep from laughing.

She was just two years older than me, but always acted like she was some wise old aunt, putting on airs and talking down to me.

They even had a child, yet she still insisted on marrying my dad, and Ryan wanted to marry me.

There was no way this was just about my family's money. They must be after something else.

Elaine cleared her throat. "Jenny, you can squander your father's money all you want, but now that you've found someone to rely on, why did you suddenly quit?"

My dad shot her a glare. "You just said it's my money. Why do you care?"

He usually let Elaine do whatever she wanted, but whenever it involved me, he'd always side with me.

I smiled and offered Ryan a brooch. "Ryan, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted that way."

I apologized with genuine remorse, "I should have told you earlier, so it wouldn't have come as such a shock and upset you."

Ryan looked at me like he was in charge, his gaze critical and arrogant.

Clearly, my apology was exactly what he'd expected.

Ryan picked up the brooch, set it on the table, and said coolly, "Do you really think a brooch like this is enough to earn my forgiveness?"

A fleeting sense of defeat crossed my eyes as I slightly lowered my head.

Just then, Elaine picked up the brooch and gave it a good look.

"Ryan, since she doesn't want it, why not let me have it?" Elaine said, not bothering to hide her interest. "I'm heading to a party with Kenneth in a couple of days, and this would go perfectly with my suit."

Before I could even respond, Ryan said, "If you like it, keep it. Just consider it a gift from us."

Then, with extra attentiveness, Ryan added, "Do you want me to help you try it on?"

Elaine blushed as she quickly shook her head. "No need. I don't want Jenny to get jealous."

As I got up to leave, I couldn't help but smirk.

Good thing she kept it. There was a tiny recorder hidden inside that brooch. I couldn't wait to see what kind of drama they would put on.